Independent Lens 1999
★ 6.6/10 · 16 votes TV-PG Documentary 27 seasons · 542 eps Returning Series
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Quick answer
What is Independent Lens?
Independent Lens is an award-winning anthology television series that premiered in 1999. The program airs on PBS and is also available for streaming through the PBS App.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1999
- Status
- Returning Series
- Episodes
- 542
- Runtime
- 60 minutes
- First aired
- Aug 9, 1999
- Last aired
- Jul 13, 2026
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- PBS
- Genres
- Documentary
- Updated
Availability by region
Where to watch
Stream
YouTube TV
PBS
Thirteen
WETA+Free
PBSWETA+With ads
KQEDStreaming availability data provided by JustWatch via TMDB. Availability changes by country and date; verify on the provider before subscribing or purchasing.
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Estimate the schedule using 542 episodes and an average 60-minute runtime.
Trailer
No official trailer is available for this title yet.
Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
Independent Lens is an award-winning anthology television series that premiered in 1999. The program airs on PBS and is also available for streaming through the PBS App. As a weekly series, it primarily features documentary films produced by independent filmmakers, though the anthology also includes a limited number of fiction films. The series is recognized for highlighting the artistic achievement, creative freedom, and unflinching visions of its producers. Each installment focuses on stories involving unique individuals, specific communities, or significant moments in history. Throughout its run, the series has featured various hosts, including Angela Bassett, Don Cheadle, Susan Sarandon, Edie Falco, Terrence Howard, Maggie Gyllenhaal, America Ferrera, Mary-Louise Parker, and Stanley Tucci. The show has been recognized with Emmy Awards for its contributions to television. Production of the series involves a wide range of cast and crew members, including directors and producers, who contribute to the diverse stories presented in each episode. The series remains a long-running fixture on public television.
Sources & verification
Independent Lens (TV Series 1999- ) - IMDb
Independent Lens (TV Series 1999- ) - Cast & Crew - The Movie Database ...
Independent Lens — The Movie Database (TMDB)
Independent Lens (1999-2026) - Full Cast and Crew | Moviefone
Independent Lens (1999) Full Cast & Crew - Plex
Independent Lens - Wikipedia
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Should you watch it?
“This anthology series showcases acclaimed documentaries and fiction films from independent producers with unique artistic visions.”
Reasons to watch
- features award-winning storytelling
- highlights unique historical moments
- showcases creative artistic freedom
Keep in mind
- diverse subject matter may vary in appeal
- anthology format lacks a continuous narrative
Watch it if you appreciate independent filmmaking and compelling real-life stories.
The series explores various topics and historical moments, which may include mature themes depending on the specific episode.
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Cast
Comprehensive Directory
Episode guide
🛡️ SPOILER SHIELD
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Season 1 · 8 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide & lore primer →- E1 Wannabe: Life and Death in a Small Town Gang Mytharc Aug 9, 1999
- E2 Nothing but the Truth Core Aug 16, 1999
- E3 Visas and Virtues; I Am Viet Hung Core Aug 23, 1999
- E4 The Man Who Drove with Mandela Core Aug 30, 1999
- E5 The Jew in the Lotus Core Sep 6, 1999
- E6 Holy Tortilla/Lock and Key Core Sep 13, 1999
- E7 Secret People Mytharc Oct 4, 1999
- E8 I Can't Believe I Married a Lesbian Mytharc Oct 11, 1999
Season 2 · 10 episodes
Open the complete Season 2 guide & lore primer →- E1 Now & Then: From Frosh to Seniors Mytharc Oct 6, 2000
- E2 No Hair Day Core Oct 10, 2000
- E3 Short Stories Core Oct 16, 2000
- E4 Born in the USA Core Oct 23, 2000
- E5 Girl Gone Bad Core Oct 30, 2000
- E6 Passing Through; Graham's Diner Core Nov 6, 2000
- E7 The Return of Navajo Boy Core Nov 13, 2000
- E8 Music in Their Bones Core Nov 20, 2000
- E9 In Harm's Way; Carved from the Heart Mytharc Nov 27, 2000
- E10 A Wok in Progress Mytharc Dec 4, 2000
Season 3 · 10 episodes
Open the complete Season 3 guide & lore primer →- E1 Confederacy Theory Mytharc Sep 7, 2001
- E2 Who Owns the Past? Core Sep 14, 2001
- E3 Secrets of Silicon Valley Core Sep 15, 2001
- E4 Gibtown Core Sep 21, 2001
- E5 Abandoned: The Betrayal of America's Immigrants Core Sep 22, 2001
- E6 Good Kurds, Bad Kurds Core Sep 28, 2001
- E7 Open Outcry Core Oct 5, 2001
- E8 The Split Horn Core Oct 12, 2001
- E9 Undetectable Mytharc Oct 19, 2001
- E10 Romancing the Throne Mytharc Nov 9, 2001
Season 4 · 14 episodes
Open the complete Season 4 guide & lore primer →- E1 Maggie Growls Mytharc Feb 4, 2003
- E2 Off the Charts: The Song-Poem Story Core Feb 11, 2003
- E3 On This Island Core Feb 18, 2003
- E4 Downside Up Core Feb 25, 2003
- E5 Los Trabajadores/The Workers Core Mar 25, 2003
- E6 Chiefs Core Apr 1, 2003
- E7 Strange Fruit Core Apr 8, 2003
- E8 Bird by Bird with Annie: A Portrait of Anne Lamott Core Apr 22, 2003
- E9 Sisters in Resistance Core Apr 29, 2003
- E10 Heart of the Sea: Kapolioka'ehukai Core May 6, 2003
- E11 Guns and Mothers Core May 13, 2003
- E12 Razing Appalachia Core May 20, 2003
- E13 Hansel Mieth: Vagabond Photographer Mytharc May 27, 2003
- E14 Daddy & Papa Mytharc Jun 3, 2003
Season 5 · 28 episodes
Open the complete Season 5 guide & lore primer →- E1 Worst Possible Illusion: The Curiosity Cabinet of Vik Muniz Mytharc Oct 14, 2003
- E2 Foto-Novelas 2: `Junkyard Saints' and `Broken Sky' Core Oct 21, 2003
- E3 Shaolin Ulysses: Kungfu Monks in America Core Oct 28, 2003
- E4 A Wedding in Ramallah Core Nov 4, 2003
- E5 Be Good, Smile Pretty Core Nov 11, 2003
- E6 Livermore Core Nov 25, 2003
- E7 Eroica! Core Dec 9, 2003
- E8 Loaded Gun: Life and Death and Dickinson Core Dec 16, 2003
- E9 Get the Fire! Young Mormon Missionaries Abroad Core Dec 23, 2003
- E10 Man Bites Shorts Core Dec 30, 2003
- E11 Make 'Em Dance: The Hackberry Ramblers' Story Core Jan 13, 2004
- E12 Life Matters Core Jan 20, 2004
- E13 Why Can't We Be a Family Again?; Downpour Resurfacing Core Jan 27, 2004
- E14 Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property Core Feb 10, 2004
- E15 A Place of Our Oen Core
- E16 Jimmy Scott: If You Only Knew Core Feb 24, 2004
- E17 Sentencing the Victim Core Mar 2, 2004
- E18 T-Shirt Travels Core Mar 23, 2004
- E19 Every Child Is Born a Poet: The Life and Work of Piri Thomas Core Mar 30, 2004
- E20 Love Inventory Core Apr 13, 2004
- E21 Ram Dass: Fierce Grace Core Apr 20, 2004
- E22 The Weather Underground Core Apr 27, 2004
- E23 One Night at the Grand Star; Double Exposure Core May 4, 2004
- E24 Refugee Core May 11, 2004
- E25 Death of a Shaman Core May 27, 2004
- E26 Cosmopolitan Core Jun 1, 2004
- E27 Sumo East and West Mytharc Jun 8, 2004
- E28 The Amasong Chorus: Singing Out Mytharc Jun 15, 2004
Season 6 · 27 episodes
Open the complete Season 6 guide & lore primer →- E1 The Political Dr. Seuss Mytharc Oct 26, 2004
- E2 Polka Time Core Nov 9, 2004
- E3 Afghanistan Unveiled Core Nov 16, 2004
- E4 Los Angeles Now Core Nov 23, 2004
- E5 The Day My God Died Core Nov 30, 2004
- E6 Girl Wrestler Core Dec 14, 2004
- E7 Fine; Doki-Doki Core Dec 21, 2004
- E8 Short, Not Sweet Core Dec 28, 2004
- E9 A Hard Straight Core Jan 4, 2005
- E10 A Touch of Greatness Core Jan 11, 2005
- E11 Power Trip Core Jan 25, 2005
- E12 February One: The Story of the Greensboro Four Core Feb 1, 2005
- E13 On a Roll: Disability and the American Dream Core
- E14 Thunder in Guyana/Unites States of Poetry Core Feb 22, 2005
- E15 Sisters of '77 Core Mar 1, 2005
- E16 Sunset Story Core Mar 22, 2005
- E17 Let the Church Say Amen Core Mar 29, 2005
- E18 A Lion's Trail Core Apr 5, 2005
- E19 Keeping Time: The Life, Music & Photographs of Milt Hinton Core Apr 12, 2005
- E20 End of the Century: The Ramones; Joe Strummer Rocks Again Core Apr 26, 2005
- E21 The Last Letter; Zyklon Portrait; The Walnut Tree Core May 3, 2005
- E22 Imelda Core May 10, 2005
- E23 Imelda: Power, Myth, Illusion Core May 10, 2005
- E24 Red Hook Justice Core May 24, 2005
- E25 Double Dare; Piki and Poko: Taking the Dare! Core May 31, 2005
- E26 Chavez Ravine: A Los Angeles Story Mytharc Jun 7, 2005
- E27 Brother to Brother Mytharc Jun 14, 2005
Season 7 · 29 episodes
Open the complete Season 7 guide & lore primer →- E1 Parliament Funkadelic: One Nation Under a Groove Mytharc Oct 11, 2005
- E2 En Route to Baghdad Core Oct 18, 2005
- E3 The Last Cowboy Core Oct 25, 2005
- E4 A Family at War Core Nov 8, 2005
- E5 Mirror Dance Core Nov 15, 2005
- E6 Race Is the Place Core Nov 22, 2005
- E7 Maid in America Core Nov 29, 2005
- E8 Seoul Train Core Dec 13, 2005
- E9 Sisters: Portrait of a Benedictine Community Core Dec 20, 2005
- E10 Short Stack: Lost & Found Core Dec 27, 2005
- E11 Sheriff Core Jan 3, 2006
- E12 Girl Trouble Core Jan 17, 2006
- E13 Negroes With Guns: Rob Williams and Black Power Core Feb 7, 2006
- E14 July '64 Core Feb 14, 2006
- E15 Almost Home Core Feb 21, 2006
- E16 The Loss of Nameless Things Core Feb 28, 2006
- E17 Troop 1500 Core Mar 21, 2006
- E18 Taking the Heat: The First Women Firefighters of New York City Core Mar 28, 2006
- E19 Trudell Core Apr 11, 2006
- E20 La Sierra Core Apr 18, 2006
- E21 A League of Ordinary Gentlemen Core Apr 25, 2006
- E22 Music from the Inside Out Core May 2, 2006
- E23 Fishbowl; American Made Core May 9, 2006
- E24 Frozen Angels Core May 16, 2006
- E25 The Devil's Miner Core May 23, 2006
- E26 The Great Pink Scare Core Jun 6, 2006
- E27 The Real Dirt on Farmer John Core Jun 13, 2006
- E28 A Lion in the House Mytharc Jun 21, 2006
- E29 A Lion in the House Mytharc Jun 22, 2006
Season 8 · 27 episodes
Open the complete Season 8 guide & lore primer →- E1 Still Life With Animated Dogs Mytharc Oct 24, 2006
- E2 The World According to Sesame Street Core Oct 24, 2006
- E3 Muskrat Lovely Core Oct 31, 2006
- E4 Paul Conrad: Drawing Fire Core Nov 7, 2006
- E5 Democracy on Deadline Core Nov 21, 2006
- E6 Two Square Miles Core Nov 28, 2006
- E7 A Sad Flower in the Sand Core Dec 12, 2006
- E8 Revolucion: Five Visions Core Dec 19, 2006
- E9 Short Stack 2006 Core Dec 26, 2006
- E10 A Fish Story Core Jan 2, 2007
- E11 Shadya Core Jan 16, 2007
- E12 Beyond the Call Core Jan 23, 2007
- E13 Twisted Core Jan 30, 2007
- E14 Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life Core Feb 6, 2007
- E15 Motherland Afghanistan Core Feb 13, 2007
- E16 Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes Core Feb 20, 2007
- E17 Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore? Core Feb 27, 2007
- E18 Stolen Core Mar 20, 2007
- E19 Race to Execution Mytharc Mar 27, 2007
- E20 China Blue Core Apr 3, 2007
- E21 Black Gold Core Apr 10, 2007
- E22 Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room Core Apr 24, 2007
- E23 The Cats of Mirikitani Core May 8, 2007
- E24 Sentenced Home Core May 15, 2007
- E25 Knocking Core May 22, 2007
- E26 The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill Mytharc May 29, 2007
- E27 La Lupe Queen of Latin Soul Mytharc May 6, 2007
Season 9 · 26 episodes
Open the complete Season 9 guide & lore primer →- E1 Wordplay Mytharc Oct 16, 2007
- E2 Please Vote for Me Core Oct 23, 2007
- E3 Storm of Emotions Core Oct 30, 2007
- E4 Red White Black & Blue Core Nov 6, 2007
- E5 Miss Navajo Core Nov 13, 2007
- E6 The Creek Runs Red Core Nov 20, 2007
- E8 The Paper Core Dec 11, 2007
- E9 An Unreasonable Man Core Dec 18, 2007
- E10 Today's Man Core Jan 8, 2008
- E11 A Son's Sacrifice Core Jan 22, 2008
- E12 American Made Core Jan 22, 2008
- E13 How Is Your Fish Today? Core Jan 29, 2008
- E14 Banished Core Feb 19, 2008
- E15 Hard Road Home Core Feb 26, 2008
- E16 Iron Ladies of Liberia Core Mar 18, 2008
- E17 Compañeras Filler Apr 1, 2008
- E18 Water Flowing Together Core Apr 8, 2008
- E19 Water Flowing Together Core Apr 8, 2008
- E20 Na Kamalei: The Men of Hula Core May 6, 2008
- E21 A Dream in Doubt Core May 20, 2008
- E22 New Year Baby Core May 27, 2008
- E23 The Cool School Core Jun 10, 2008
- E24 Writ Writer Mytharc Jun 3, 2008
- E25 Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story Core Jun 19, 2008
- E26 Deep Water Mytharc Jun 15, 2008
- E27 Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story Mytharc Jun 19, 2008
Season 10 · 25 episodes
Open the complete Season 10 guide & lore primer →- E1 Chicago 10 Mytharc Oct 22, 2008
- E2 Dinner with the President: A Nation's Journey Core Oct 28, 2008
- E3 Knee Deep Core Nov 6, 2008
- E4 Lioness Core Nov 13, 2008
- E5 March Point Core Nov 18, 2008
- E6 The Atom Smashers Core Nov 25, 2008
- E7 Wonders Are Many: The Making of "Doctor Atomic" Core Dec 16, 2008
- E8 Wonders Are Many: The Making of 'Doctor Atomic' Core Dec 16, 2008
- E9 Grey Gardens: From East Hampton to Broadway Core Dec 23, 2008
- E10 Helvetica Core Jan 6, 2009
- E11 Adjust You Color: The Truth of Petey Greene Core Feb 3, 2009
- E12 Adjust Your Color: The Truth of Petey Greene Core Feb 3, 2009
- E13 The Order of Myths/Bi-Racial Hair Core Feb 24, 2009
- E14 The Order of Myths Core Feb 24, 2009
- E15 Lakshmi and Me Core Mar 24, 2009
- E16 Recycle Core Mar 31, 2009
- E17 Milking the Rhino Core Apr 7, 2009
- E18 Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai Core Apr 14, 2009
- E19 Steal a Pencil for Me Core Apr 21, 2009
- E20 At Home in Utopia Core Apr 28, 2009
- E21 Wings of Defeat Mytharc May 5, 2009
- E22 Crips and Bloods: Made in America Core May 12, 2009
- E23 Stranded: The Andes Plane Crash Survivors Filler May 19, 2009
- E24 Steal a Pencil for Me Mytharc May 26, 2009
- E25 Ask Not Mytharc Jun 16, 2009
Season 11 · 27 episodes
Open the complete Season 11 guide & lore primer →- E1 Our Disappeared Mytharc Sep 21, 2009
- E2 Butte, America Core Oct 20, 2009
- E3 Journals of a Wily School Core Oct 27, 2009
- E4 Power Paths Core Nov 3, 2009
- E5 D Tour Core Nov 10, 2009
- E6 No Subtitles Necessary: László and Vilmos Core Nov 17, 2009
- E7 Objectified Core Nov 24, 2009
- E8 Between the Folds Core Dec 8, 2009
- E9 Scenes From a Parish Core Dec 29, 2009
- E10 Young@Heart Core Jan 12, 2010
- E11 Copyright Criminals Core Jan 19, 2010
- E12 Herskovits at the Heart of Blackness Core Feb 2, 2010
- E13 P-Star Rising Mytharc Feb 9, 2010
- E14 Mine / Home Core Feb 16, 2010
- E15 Behind the Rainbow Core Feb 23, 2010
- E16 The Eyes of Me Core Mar 2, 2010
- E17 Lost Souls (Animas Perdidas) Core Mar 23, 2010
- E18 Whatever It Takes Core Mar 30, 2010
- E19 Unmistaken Child Core Apr 7, 2010
- E20 Blessed Is the Match Core Apr 13, 2010
- E21 Dirt! The Movie Core Apr 20, 2010
- E22 Garbage Dreams Core Apr 27, 2010
- E23 Sunshine Core
- E24 The Horse Boy Core May 11, 2010
- E25 Project Kashmir Core May 18, 2010
- E26 A Village Called Versailles Mytharc May 25, 2010
- E27 Our Disappeared Mytharc Sep 21, 2009
Season 12 · 25 episodes
Open the complete Season 12 guide & lore primer →- E1 The Parking Lot Movie Mytharc Oct 19, 2010
- E2 Art & Copy Core Oct 26, 2010
- E3 Reel Injun: On the Trail of the Hollywood Indian Core Nov 2, 2010
- E4 The Longoria Affair Core Nov 9, 2010
- E5 Lost Sparrow Core Nov 16, 2010
- E6 Deep Down Core Nov 23, 2010
- E7 45365 Core Dec 14, 2010
- E8 The Calling, Part 1 Mytharc Dec 20, 2010
- E9 The Calling, Part 2 Mytharc Dec 21, 2010
- E10 Men Who Swim Core Jan 4, 2011
- E11 Children of Haiti Core Jan 11, 2011
- E12 For Once in My Life Core Feb 1, 2011
- E13 When I Rise Mytharc Feb 8, 2011
- E14 William S. Burroughs: A Man Within Core Feb 22, 2011
- E15 Me Facing Life: Cyntoia's Story Core Mar 1, 2011
- E16 Pushing the Elephant Core Mar 29, 2011
- E17 The Desert of Forbidden Art Core Apr 5, 2011
- E18 Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child Core Apr 12, 2011
- E19 Waste Land Core Apr 19, 2011
- E20 Marwencol Core Apr 26, 2011
- E21 A Film Unfinished Core May 3, 2011
- E22 Bhutto Core May 10, 2011
- E23 Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo Core May 17, 2011
- E24 Welcome to Shelbyville Mytharc May 24, 2011
- E25 Two Spirits Mytharc Jun 14, 2011
Season 13 · 27 episodes
Open the complete Season 13 guide & lore primer →- E1 Wham! Bam! Islam! Mytharc Oct 13, 2011
- E2 Donor Unknown Core Oct 20, 2011
- E3 Lives Worth Living Core Oct 27, 2011
- E4 Deaf Jam Core Nov 3, 2011
- E5 We Still Live Here -- as Nutayunean Core Nov 17, 2011
- E6 The Woodmans Core Dec 22, 2011
- E7 These Amazing Shadows Core Dec 29, 2011
- E8 Have You Heard From Johannesburg: Road to Resistance Core Jan 12, 2012
- E9 Have You Heard From Johannesburg: The New Generation Core Jan 12, 2012
- E10 Have You Heard From Johannesburg: From Selma to Soweto Core Jan 19, 2012
- E11 Have You Heard From Johannesburg: The Bottom Line Core Jan 19, 2012
- E12 Have You Heard From Johannesburg: Free at Last Core Jan 26, 2012
- E13 Daisy Bates: First Lady of Little Rock Core Feb 2, 2012
- E14 The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 Core Feb 9, 2012
- E15 More Than A Month Core Feb 16, 2012
- E16 You're Looking at Me Like I Live Here and I Don't Mytharc Mar 30, 2012
- E17 Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey Core Apr 5, 2012
- E18 When the Drum Is Beating Core Apr 12, 2012
- E19 Revenge of the Electric Car Core Apr 19, 2012
- E20 Facing the Storm: Story of the American Bison Core Apr 26, 2012
- E21 Circo Core May 3, 2012
- E22 Summer Pasture Core May 10, 2012
- E23 Precious Knowledge Core May 17, 2012
- E24 Left by the Ship Core May 24, 2012
- E25 Hell and Back Again Core May 28, 2012
- E26 We Were Here Mytharc Jun 7, 2012
- E27 Strong! Mytharc Jun 26, 2012
Season 14 · 24 episodes
Open the complete Season 14 guide & lore primer →- E1 As Goes Janesville Mytharc Oct 8, 2012
- E2 Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide (Part 2) Mytharc Oct 2, 2012
- E4 Love Free or Die Core Oct 29, 2012
- E5 Solar Mamas Core Nov 5, 2012
- E6 Park Avenue: Money, Power & the American Dream Core Nov 12, 2012
- E7 Soul Food Junkies Core Jan 14, 2013
- E8 Beauty Is Embarrassing Core Jan 21, 2013
- E9 The Revisionaries Core Jan 28, 2013
- E10 The Powerbroker: Whitney Young's Fight for Civil Rights Core Feb 18, 2013
- E11 Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry Core Feb 25, 2013
- E12 The House I Live In; As I Am Core Apr 8, 2013
- E13 Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroines Filler Apr 15, 2013
- E14 The Island President Core Apr 22, 2013
- E15 The Undocumented Core Apr 29, 2013
- E16 Seeking Asian Female Core May 6, 2013
- E17 The Invisible War Core May 13, 2013
- E18 Detropia Core May 27, 2013
- E19 The Revolutionary Optimists Core Jun 17, 2013
- E20 Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman's Journey Core Sep 30, 2013
- E21 The Waiting Room Core Oct 21, 2013
- E22 The Graduates Core
- E24 Young Lakota Core
- E25 Playwright: From Page to Stage Mytharc
- E26 Jiro Dreams of Sushi Mytharc
Season 15 · 21 episodes
Open the complete Season 15 guide & lore primer →- E1 The Graduates - The Girls Mytharc Oct 28, 2013
- E2 The Graduates - The Boys Core Nov 4, 2013
- E3 Indian Relay Core Nov 18, 2013
- E4 Young Lakota Core Nov 25, 2013
- E5 Playwright: From Page to Stage Core Dec 16, 2013
- E6 Jiro Dreams of Sushi Core Dec 23, 2013
- E7 How to Survive a Plague Mytharc Dec 30, 2013
- E8 At Berkeley Core Jan 13, 2014
- E9 Blood Brother Core Jan 20, 2014
- E10 The State of Arizona Core Jan 27, 2014
- E11 Spies of Mississippi Core Feb 10, 2014
- E12 Las Marthas Core Feb 17, 2014
- E13 All of Me: A Story of Love, Loss, and Last Resorts Core Mar 24, 2014
- E14 Medora Core May 31, 2014
- E15 Brother's Hypnotic Core Mar 17, 2014
- E16 The Trials of Muhammad Ali Core Mar 24, 2014
- E17 Muscle Shoals Core Mar 31, 2014
- E18 A Fragile Trust: Plagiarism, Power, and Jayson Blair at The New York Times Core Apr 7, 2014
- E19 Let the Fire Burn Core Apr 14, 2014
- E20 God Loves Uganda Mytharc May 5, 2014
- E21 The New Black Mytharc Jun 16, 2014
Season 16 · 19 episodes
Open the complete Season 16 guide & lore primer →- E1 Bully Mytharc Oct 13, 2014
- E2 Twin Sisters Core Oct 20, 2014
- E3 Brakeless Core Oct 27, 2014
- E4 Powerless Core Nov 3, 2014
- E5 Happiness Core Nov 17, 2014
- E6 Rich Hill Core Jan 5, 2015
- E7 Evolution of a Criminal Core Jan 12, 2015
- E8 The Kill Team / Confusion Through Sand Core Jan 19, 2015
- E9 Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People Core Feb 16, 2015
- E10 American Denial Core Feb 23, 2015
- E11 Little White Lie Core Mar 23, 2015
- E12 Little Hope Was Arson / A City in Flames Core Apr 6, 2015
- E13 The Homestretch Core Apr 13, 2015
- E14 The Great Invisible Core Apr 20, 2015
- E15 Kumu Hina Core May 4, 2015
- E16 Born to Fly: Elizabeth Streb vs. Gravity Core May 11, 2015
- E17 1971 Core May 18, 2015
- E18 Limited Partnership Mytharc Jun 15, 2015
- E19 In the Shadow of Ebola Mytharc Jun 22, 2015
Season 17 · 21 episodes
Open the complete Season 17 guide & lore primer →- E1 Stray Dog Mytharc Nov 9, 2015
- E2 India's Daughter Core Nov 16, 2015
- E3 Mimi and Dona Core Nov 23, 2015
- E4 East of Salinas Core Dec 28, 2015
- E5 Chuck Norris vs. Communism Core Jan 4, 2016
- E6 Autism in Love Core Jan 11, 2016
- E7 No Más Bebés (No More Babies) Core Jan 25, 2016
- E8 In Football We Trust Core Feb 1, 2016
- E9 A Ballerina's Tale Core Feb 8, 2016
- E10 The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution Core Feb 16, 2016
- E11 (T)ERROR Core Feb 22, 2016
- E12 Wilhemina’s War Core Feb 29, 2016
- E13 An Honest Liar Core Mar 28, 2016
- E14 Welcome to Leith Core Apr 4, 2016
- E15 Democrats Core Apr 25, 2016
- E16 My Nazi Legacy Core May 2, 2016
- E17 Peace Officer Core May 9, 2016
- E18 The Armor of Light Mytharc May 10, 2016
- E19 Dogtown Redemption Core May 16, 2016
- E20 TRAPPED Mytharc Jun 20, 2016
- E21 T-Rex: Her Fight for Gold Mytharc Aug 2, 2016
Season 18 · 20 episodes
Open the complete Season 18 guide & lore primer →- E1 Best of Enemies Mytharc Oct 2, 2016
- E2 Meet the Patels Core Dec 26, 2016
- E3 Best and Most Beautiful Things Core Jan 2, 2017
- E4 Containment Core Jan 9, 2017
- E5 What Was Ours Core Jan 16, 2017
- E6 The Witness Mytharc Jan 23, 2017
- E7 Birth of a Movement Core Feb 6, 2017
- E8 Accidental Courtesy Core Feb 13, 2017
- E9 TOWER Mytharc Feb 14, 2017
- E10 The Bad Kids Core Mar 20, 2017
- E11 Ovarian Psycos Core Mar 27, 2017
- E12 Newtown Core Apr 3, 2017
- E13 SEED: The Untold Story Core Apr 17, 2017
- E14 The Last Laugh Core Apr 24, 2017
- E15 National Bird Core May 1, 2017
- E16 The Prison in Twelve Landscapes Core May 8, 2017
- E17 Forever Pure Core May 15, 2017
- E18 They Call Us Monsters Core May 22, 2017
- E19 Farmer/Veteran Mytharc May 29, 2017
- E20 Real Boy Mytharc Jun 19, 2017
Season 19 · 20 episodes
Open the complete Season 19 guide & lore primer →- E1 Chasing Trane Mytharc Nov 6, 2017
- E2 Shadow World Core Nov 20, 2017
- E3 Supergirl Core Dec 18, 2017
- E4 The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin Core Jan 1, 2018
- E5 Unrest Core Jan 8, 2018
- E6 I Am Not Your Negro Core Jan 15, 2018
- E7 The Force Core Jan 22, 2018
- E8 I Am Another You Core Jan 29, 2018
- E9 Winnie Core Feb 5, 2018
- E10 Tell Them We Are Rising Core Feb 19, 2018
- E11 Rat Film Core Feb 26, 2018
- E12 Dolores Core Mar 27, 2018
- E13 When God Sleeps Core Apr 2, 2018
- E14 The Art of the Shine Core Apr 9, 2018
- E15 What Lies Upstream Core Apr 16, 2018
- E16 Look & See: Wendell Berry's Kentucky Core Apr 23, 2018
- E17 True Conviction Core Apr 30, 2018
- E18 No Man's Land Core May 7, 2018
- E19 ACORN and the Firestorm Mytharc May 14, 2018
- E20 Served Like a Girl Mytharc May 28, 2018
Season 20 · 19 episodes
Open the complete Season 20 guide & lore primer →- E1 Wildland Mytharc Oct 29, 2018
- E2 Dawnland Mytharc Nov 5, 2018
- E3 The Cleaners Core Nov 12, 2018
- E4 The Judge Core Nov 19, 2018
- E5 Man on Fire Mytharc Dec 17, 2018
- E6 My Country No More Core Jan 7, 2019
- E7 Rodents of Unusual Size Core Jan 14, 2019
- E8 RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked The World Core Jan 21, 2019
- E9 The King Core Jan 28, 2019
- E10 Black Memorabilia Core Feb 4, 2019
- E11 Hale County This Morning, This Evening Core Feb 11, 2019
- E12 People's Republic of Desire Core Feb 25, 2019
- E13 Tre Maison Dasan Core Apr 1, 2019
- E14 The Providers Core Apr 8, 2019
- E15 Marcos Doesn't Live Here Anymore Core Apr 15, 2019
- E16 Charm City Core Apr 22, 2019
- E17 Out of State Core May 6, 2019
- E18 Harvest Season; The Seed Saver Mytharc May 13, 2019
- E19 Wrestle Mytharc May 20, 2019
Season 21 · 19 episodes
Open the complete Season 21 guide & lore primer →- E1 Made in Boise Mytharc Oct 28, 2019
- E2 Decade of Fire Core Nov 4, 2019
- E3 The Interpreters Core Nov 11, 2019
- E4 Conscience Point; Jewel's Hunt Core Nov 18, 2019
- E5 ATTLA Core Dec 16, 2019
- E6 Accept the Call Core Jan 20, 2020
- E7 The First Rainbow Coalition Core Jan 27, 2020
- E8 Cooked: Survival by Zip Code Core Feb 3, 2020
- E9 Leftover Women Core Feb 10, 2020
- E10 We Believe In Dinosaurs Core Feb 17, 2020
- E11 Always in Season Core Feb 24, 2020
- E12 One Child Nation Core Mar 20, 2020
- E13 Bedlam Core Apr 13, 2020
- E14 The Hottest August Core Apr 20, 2020
- E15 Jim Allison: Breakthrough Core Apr 27, 2020
- E16 Rewind Mytharc May 11, 2020
- E17 Eating Up Easter Core May 25, 2020
- E18 Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project Mytharc Jun 15, 2020
- E19 Pipe Dreams Mytharc Jun 22, 2020
Season 22 · 14 episodes
Open the complete Season 22 guide & lore primer →- E1 Feels Good Man Mytharc Oct 19, 2020
- E2 Represent Core Oct 26, 2020
- E3 Jonathan Scott's Power Trip Core Nov 16, 2020
- E4 Belly of the Beast Core Nov 23, 2020
- E5 A Woman’s Work: The NFL’s Cheerleader Problem Core Jan 4, 2021
- E6 A Day in the Life of America / American Nomads Core Jan 11, 2021
- E7 9to5: The Story of a Movement Core Feb 1, 2021
- E8 Women in Blue Core Feb 8, 2021
- E9 Mr. SOUL! Core Feb 22, 2021
- E10 Coded Bias Core Mar 22, 2021
- E11 Down a Dark Stairwell Core Apr 12, 2021
- E12 The Donut King Core May 24, 2021
- E13 Two Gods Mytharc Jun 21, 2021
- E14 The People vs. Agent Orange Mytharc Jun 28, 2021
Season 23 · 15 episodes
Open the complete Season 23 guide & lore primer →- E1 Cured Mytharc Oct 11, 2021
- E2 Ferguson Rises Core Nov 8, 2021
- E3 Storm Lake Mytharc Nov 15, 2021
- E4 Duty Free Core Nov 22, 2021
- E5 Home From School: The Children of Carlisle Core Nov 23, 2021
- E6 A Reckoning in Boston Mytharc Jan 17, 2022
- E7 Missing in Brooks County Core Jan 31, 2022
- E8 Owned: A Tale of Two Americas Core Feb 7, 2022
- E9 Bulletproof Core Feb 14, 2022
- E10 Apart Core Feb 21, 2022
- E11 Writing With Fire Core Mar 28, 2022
- E12 AWARE: Glimpses of Consciousness Core Apr 4, 2022
- E13 Try Harder! Core May 2, 2022
- E14 When Claude Got Shot Mytharc May 9, 2022
- E15 Scenes From The Glittering World Mytharc May 16, 2022
Season 24 · 16 episodes
Open the complete Season 24 guide & lore primer →- E1 Hazing Mytharc Sep 12, 2022
- E2 TikTok, Boom. Core Oct 24, 2022
- E3 Move Me Core Nov 7, 2022
- E4 Children of Las Brisas Core Jan 2, 2023
- E5 The Big Payback Core Jan 16, 2023
- E6 No Straight Lines Core Jan 23, 2023
- E7 The Picture Taker Core Jan 30, 2023
- E8 Outta the Muck Core Feb 6, 2023
- E9 Love in the Time of Fentanyl Core Feb 13, 2023
- E10 Storming Caesars Palace Core Mar 20, 2023
- E11 Hidden Letters Core Mar 27, 2023
- E12 Free Chol Soo Lee Core Apr 24, 2023
- E13 Matter of Mind: My ALS Core May 1, 2023
- E14 Sam Now Core May 8, 2023
- E15 Silent Beauty Mytharc May 15, 2023
- E16 Mama Bears Mytharc Jun 20, 2023
Season 25 · 17 episodes
Open the complete Season 25 guide & lore primer →- E1 Sansón and Me Mytharc Sep 19, 2023
- E2 El Equipo Filler Oct 9, 2023
- E3 Three Chaplains Core Nov 6, 2023
- E4 A Town Called Victoria | Episode 1 Core Feb 20, 2024
- E5 A Town Called Victoria | Episode 2 Core Feb 20, 2024
- E6 A Town Called Victoria | Episode 3 Core Feb 20, 2024
- E7 Beyond Utopia Core Jan 9, 2024
- E8 Racist Trees Core Jan 22, 2024
- E9 Razing Liberty Square Core Jan 29, 2024
- E10 Sister Úna Lived a Good Death Core Feb 5, 2024
- E11 Breaking the News Core Feb 19, 2024
- E12 Greener Pastures Core Mar 25, 2024
- E13 A Thousand Pines Core Apr 1, 2024
- E14 Matter of Mind: My Parkinson’s Core Apr 8, 2024
- E15 One With the Whale Core Apr 22, 2024
- E16 Space: The Longest Goodbye Mytharc May 6, 2024
- E17 The Tuba Thieves Mytharc May 7, 2024
Season 26 · 19 episodes
Open the complete Season 26 guide & lore primer →- E1 One Person, One Vote? Mytharc Sep 30, 2024
- E2 Make Peace or Die: Honor the Fallen Core Nov 11, 2024
- E3 Dallas, 2019 | Episode 1 Core Jan 3, 2025
- E4 Dallas, 2019 | Episode 2 Mytharc Jan 3, 2025
- E5 Dallas, 2019 | Episode 3 Core Jan 3, 2025
- E6 Dallas, 2019 | Episode 4 Core Jan 3, 2025
- E7 Dallas, 2019 | Episode 5 Core Jan 3, 2025
- E8 Minted Core Jan 6, 2025
- E9 Without Arrows Core Jan 13, 2025
- E10 The Strike Core Feb 3, 2025
- E11 The In Between Core Feb 10, 2025
- E12 Skin of Glass Core Feb 17, 2025
- E13 Bike Vessel Core Feb 24, 2025
- E14 Home Court Core Mar 24, 2025
- E15 WE WANT THE FUNK! Core Apr 8, 2025
- E16 Free For All: The Public Library Core Apr 29, 2025
- E17 Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer's Core May 5, 2025
- E18 And So It Begins Mytharc May 12, 2025
- E19 Who is Michael Jang? Mytharc May 19, 2025
Season 27 · 15 episodes
Open the complete Season 27 guide & lore primer →- E1 Cracking the Code: Phil Sharp and the Biotech Revolution Mytharc Oct 6, 2025
- E2 Ratified Core Oct 20, 2025
- E3 Life After Core Oct 27, 2025
- E4 Vivien's Wild Ride Core Jan 26, 2026
- E5 The Librarians Core Feb 9, 2026
- E6 The Inquisitor Core Feb 23, 2026
- E7 Keep Quiet and Forgive Core Mar 23, 2026
- E8 The Tallest Dwarf Core Apr 6, 2026
- E9 BACKSIDE: The Unseen Hands of Horse Racing Core Apr 13, 2026
- E10 Natchez Core May 11, 2026
- E11 Light of the Setting Sun Core May 18, 2026
- E12 Third Act Core May 25, 2026
- E13 Assembly Core Jun 22, 2026
- E14 True North: Canadian Myths and Black Power Mytharc Jul 6, 2026
- E15 Flood Mytharc Jul 13, 2026
Verified insights
Frequently asked questions
What is Independent Lens?
It is an anthology series featuring documentaries and select fiction films.
Does the series have a consistent plot?
No, each episode presents a unique story about an individual, community, or historical moment.
Is the series well-regarded?
Yes, it is an acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning program.
What kind of films are featured?
The series primarily features documentaries alongside a limited number of fiction films.
Who produces the content?
The films are created by independent producers known for their artistic achievement.
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